Press Release

MINISTERIAL COUNCIL ON INTEGRATION. Minister Mary White T.D., Minister of State for Equality, Integration and Human Rights today announced that she has commenced the process to establish a Ministerial Council on Integration. The Minister explained that expressions of interest from migrants are now being sought for appointment to the Council and the closing date is 7th July. Minister White said " I plan to set up four regional forums so that I can engage directly with migrants and listen to their issues, hopes and challenges. I place great emphasis on the importance of civil society engagement and I want to work closely with our immigrant communities to ensure effective integration." The Minister continued "This Council is open to individual migrants so you don't have to be a member of a NGO or a group to apply. I want to reach out to migrants and hear the experiences and views of people who come from a broad spectrum of cultural and religious backgrounds and countries of origin." Council meetings will be chaired by the Minister and will normally be held two to three times a year in each of the four regions i.e. in Dublin, Rest of Leinster, Munster and Connacht/Ulster. Each regional forum will be composed of 15 to 20 members and members will attend meetings in the region in which they reside. The Minister explained "I believe that by setting up the Council in a regional formation, it will ensure that the experiences of integration at a local level will be reflected and considered." Expressions of interest for appointment to the Ministerial Council are now being sought from persons from the migrant community who are legally resident in Ireland for two or more years, or who have acquired Irish citizenship. Applicants for asylum or subsidiary protection will not be eligible to apply. Intending applicants should forward a Curriculum Vitae (stating country of origin also) and a covering letter outlining their background and the reasons they consider themselves suitable for appointment to the Ministerial Council to the Office of the Minister for Integration. Minister White commented "As the Minister responsible for integration issues, I look forward to working closely with members of our immigrant communities and I would encourage migrants to apply for appointment to the Council. It is an opportunity for individuals to have a voice in relation to their integration experiences and to help shape a better and more cohesive Ireland. I would particularly urge women from the immigrant communities to apply as I would like the Council to have a gender balance." ENDS Background Information for Editors Minister Mary White T.D., Minister of State for Equality, Integration and Human Rights will establish a Ministerial Council on Integration to advise her directly on issues faced by migrants. The Minister will chair meetings of the Council. The Council will meet in regional formation. Each regional forum will be composed of 15 to 20 members who reside in the region. The members will be migrants who will be appointed for a period of five years. In appointing members, the Minister will take account, as far as possible, of factors such as the need to have a balance between countries of origin, places of residence in Ireland and the desirability of having an appropriate gender balance. Council meetings will be convened by the Minister and will normally be held two to three times a year in each region. The four regions will be as follows: · Dublin · Rest of Leinster · Munster and · Connacht/Ulster. Members of the Council will attend meetings in the region in which they reside. Meetings will be held in private. However, a press statement giving details of the matters discussed will be issued after each Council meeting. Travel and subsistence will be paid with regard to attendance at Council meetings in line with the appropriate Civil Service rates. Who can apply to be appointed? Expressions of interest for appointment to the Ministerial Council are now being sought from persons from the migrant community who are legally resident in Ireland for two or more years, or who have acquired Irish citizenship. Applicants for asylum or subsidiary protection will not be eligible to apply. Intending applicants should forward a Curriculum Vitae (stating country of origin also) and a covering letter outlining their background and the reasons they consider themselves suitable for appointment to the Ministerial Council, by post to : The Office of the Minister for Integration Dún Aimhirgin 43-49 Mespil Road Dublin 4 or by email to info@integration.ie to arrive no later than 7th July 2010. Please mark the envelope or email 'Ministerial Council on Integration'. Please note that interviews may be held. Short listing may apply. (See attached file: ad for ministerial council FINAL VERSION.doc) Regards Anne Bevan Office of the Minister of State for Integration 43-49 Mespil Road Dublin 4 01 647 3082 www.integration.ie